Coupler for glass supporting tables



March 14, 1933. LE ROY HANDY 1,901,511

courmm FOR GLASS surromrme TABLES Filed June 28, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheei 1 Lefioy 1.. Handy;

abkomwq March 14, 1933. LE ROY L. HANDY COUPLER FOR GLASS SUPPQRTING TABLES 2 SheetsSheet 2 Filed June 28, 1929 Patented Mar. 14, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI LE ROY L. HANDY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIG-NOR' TO LIIBBEY-OWENS-FORD GLASS COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, -A CORPORATION OF OHIO COUPLER FOR GLASS Application filed June 28,

proved type of coupler and more particularly to a novel car or table coupler pri-.

marily designed for use in the so-called continuous system for surfacingsheet glass, al-

though its use is not necessarily restricted thereto.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved type of coupling means by which a plurality of cars or tablesmay be de tachably secured together in a manner to form a substantially solid surface so that sheets of glass or the like may be carried thereupon successively beneath a series of grinding units and then beneath a series of polishing units.

Another object of the invention is to provi de novel means associated with the coupler for operating the same, whereby to effect the coupling or uncoupling of the cars or tables automatically upon movement thereof in a predetermined direction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a coupler of the above described character including means for pushing the adjacent tables apart and thereby separating the same during the uncoupling thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apair of individual and independently mounted couplers at opposite sides of the tables, separate means for actuating the couplers, and means for adjusting the actuating means so that the couplers will'be operated in synchronism.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

I In the drawings forming a part of this ap- V plication and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is an elevation, partially in section, of a series of cars or tables showing the improved coupling means provided by the present invention associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section through the adjacent ends of two ad- SUPPORTING TABLES I 1929. Serial No. 374,550.

joining tables and the improved coupling means therefor. i

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one of the couplers. l

Fig. 4 is an endview of a portion of one of the tables showing the'coupling means associated therewith,'and i Fig. '5 is a longitudinal section of the means for effecting the automatic or uncoupling of the tables.

coupling In the accompanying drawings, there is I v illustrated a series of cars or tableslO upon the upper surfaces of which are adapted to be secured the glass sheets to be surfaced'j The tables 10 are arranged end to end and when properly coupled together forma substantially solid surface .upon which the glass sheets are adapted to be carried first beneath a series of grinding units and then beneath a series of polishing units (not shown).

Each car or table 10 is 'carriedby wheels 11 rolling along tracks 12. In order to drive the tables, rack bars 13 may be secured tothe bottoms thereof and driven from a drive pin- I ion 14 keyed to drive shaft 15. The table is provided at opposite ends thereof with the depending skirts 16 and along opposite sides with the depending skirts 17 arranged outw wardly of the supporting wheels 11. 1 The improved coupling means provided by the present invention is adapted to be arranged or carried at each side of the tables so that two individual couplers are. used instead of the usual single coupler located at substantially the center of the tables; The coupling means-at opposite sidesof the tables are of the same construction and operation so that a description of only one will'be given; ormed on the underside of the top 18 of each table adjacent one endthereof and outwardly of the adjacent depending side skirt 17 is a bracket member 19 having the downturned end portion 20 through which project the horizontal bolts 21 having threaded upon their outer ends a downwardly facing hook 22. Threaded on the innerend of each bolt'21 is a nut 23 and encircling the bolt between the nut and downturned end 20 adapted to receive therein the horizontal screw 27 carrying at its'outer end thesubstantially U-shaped bracket 28 including the spaced horizontal legs 29 and 30. Extending between and carried by the legs 29 and .30 is a shaft 31 upon which is mounted theupwardly facinghook 32 adaptedto inter-engage with the hook 22 upon coupling of the adJacent tables together. The supporting bracket is'provided with a depending portion 33 within which is mounted a shaft 34 carr in a worm 35 meshin with worm ear 26 so that upon rotation of shaft 34, the worm with hook 22.

gear 26 willbe driven to thread the screw 27 either inwardly or outwardly thereof dependent upon the rotation of said shaft. Carried by the depending portion 33' of bracket 25 is a forwardly directed trip member 36 arranged beneath the hook 32 and adapted to receive therein the trip lug or projection .37 carried by and depending from said hook. Secured to the U-shaped bracket 28 is a leaf spring 38 which engages the lug 37 and functions tov normally rock the hook 32 upwardly about shaft 31 into engagement When the hooks 22 and 32 are interlocked with one another to hold the adjacent tables 10 properly coupled together, the various parts of the coupling means above described will assume the respective positions indicated by the full lines in Fig. 2 with the screw 27 in its retracted position within worm gear 26. When it is desired to uncouple the tables, the shaft 34 is rotated in a clockwise direction to effect rotation of the worm gear 26 so as to thread the screw 27 outwardly with respect thereto. Upon outward movement of the screw, the bracket 28 and hook 32 will be carried therewith and the lug 37 engaging the forward end 39 of trip member 36 will cause the hook 32 to be moved downwardly to its broken line position indicated in Fig. 2 Where it will be disengaged from hook 22 to permit H the tables to be moved apart.

The invention also embodies means for separating the two tables during the uncoupling thereof and thus obviate the necessity of manually moving the tables apart as is the customary practice. To this end,the hook 5122 and legs 29 and .30 of bracket 28 are p vided with the cooperating pusher portions 40 and 41 respectively. Thus, when the? screw 27 is threaded outwardly, the portions 41 engaging portions 40 will tend to move the tables apart while, at the same time, the

hook 32 is being moved forwardly and down wardly with respect to hook 22.

hen it is desired to again couple the tables together, the said tables are moved toward one another until 'the portions 40 and .41 above referred to, abut one another. The

shaft 34 is then rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to thread the screw 27 inwardly of worm gear26, and upon such movement, the trip lug 37 will be moved out of contact with the end 39 of trip member 36 whereupon the leaf spring 38.will functionto urge the hook 32 upwardly into 'engagement'with the hook 22, Upon continued inward movementof the screw 27 the hook 32 will be drawn inwardly and into firm engagement with hook 22.

According to the present invention, means is also provided for effecting the coupling and uncoupling of the tables as above described, automatically and upon movement of said tables in a predetermined direction. With this end in view, there is mounted at eachside of the tables 10 outwardly thereof,

one or morepairs of spaced horizontal members 42 supported at their opposite ends by uprights 43 and carrying a plurality .of spaced horizontal rods or rungs 44'. The

shaft 34 of each coupling means is extended outwardly beyond the tables and carries a star-wheel 45 having a plurality of actuating fingers 46. When it is desired to uncouple the tables, the horizontal members 42 I are raised to the broken line position indicated in Fig. 5 so that the star-wheel 45 will 1 travel therebeneath, whereupon the actuating fingers 46 being received between the rods 44 will be rotated in a clockwise direction. Upon rotation of the star-wheel 45, the shaft'34 will also be rotated in a clockwise direction so that the uncoupling of the tables will be accomplished in; the manner above described. On the other hand, when it 1s desired to couple the tables, the horizontal members 42 are lowered so that the star- 7 wheels pass above the same, whereupon the actuating fingers of star-wheel 45 engaging rods 44 will'rotate the shafts 34 in a counten clockwise direction to effect the coupling of the tables.

heights of the members 42' along the line of tables, the tables can first be uncoupled and then coupled upon movement thereof in the same direction. 7 H

As above stated, coupling means of the type above described is adapted to the position at each side of the table and in order to cause the opposite coupling means to operate in synchronism, the members 42 at opposite sides of thetables may be adjusted horizontally due to the provision of the slot '47 hus, by proper regulation of the receiving the securing means 48 therethrough in such a manner that the star-wheels for the two opposite couplers'will be actuated at exactly the same time to operate the shafts 34 in synchronism to efi'ect the proper coupling and uncoupling of the tables.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described I is to be taken as the preferred embodiment of the same, and that various changes in the each table, a movable hook carried at the adjacent "end of the adjoining table and adapted for engagement with said stationary hook to'hold the ends of said tables in firm abutting relation, means for moving the movable hook forwardly, a stationary tripping member engaging a projecting portion on the hook for tripping said hook during its forward travel to disengage it from said stationary hook, and spring means also engaging the projecting portion on the movable, hook and normally acting to return the movable hook into engagement with the stationary hook upon the release of said movable hook from said tripping member. I

2. In apparatus of the character described, a plurality of tables arranged end to end,

a stationary hook carried at one end of eachtable, a movable hook carried at the adjacent end of the adjoining table and adapted for engagement with said stationary hook to hold the ends of said tables in firm abutting relation, means for supporting the movable hook including a horizontal screw, means engaging sald screw to move the same hori- Zontally so as to move the movable hook i forwardly with respect to the stationary hook, and a stationary trip member engaging the movable hook for tripping the same during the forward travel, thereof to disengage it from said stationary hook.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a plurality of tables arranged end to end, a stationary hook carried at one end of each table, a movable hook carried at the adjacent end of the adjoining table and adapted for engagement with said stationary hook to hold the ends of said tables in firm abutting relation, means for supporting the movable hook including a horizontal screw, means engaging said screw to move the same horizontally so as to move the movable hook forwardly with respect to the stationary hookfa stationary trip member engaging the movable hook for tripping the same during the forward travel thereof to disengage it from said stationary hook, and spring means normally acting to return the movable hook intoen-- gagement with the stationary hook-upon the release of said movable ping member. a

4:. In apparatus of the character described, a plurality of tables arranged end to end, a stationary hook carried at one end of each table, a movable hook carried at the adjacent end of the adjoining table-andvadapted for engagement with said stationary hook to hold;

hook from saidtrip the ends of, said table's in firm abutting relation, meansfor supporting the movable lhook including"a horizontalscrew, a gear through which said screw 1s threaded, means forro-v tating said gear to thread the screw outwardly thereof so as to move the movable hookforwardly-with Frespect to the stationary hook, a depending I'lug formed on the movable hook, and astationary trip member adapted to engagesaid lug to trip the movable hook duringth'e'forward travel thereof to disengage it from said stationaryhook,

5. In apparatus of the character described,"- a plurality of tables arranged end to end, cooperating hook mechanism carried at the adjacent ends of adjoining tables and adapted to be inter-engaged with one another to hold said tables,coupledtogether, means for 1111- coupling the tables','and means for separating the tables during the uncoupling thereof, including cooperating parts carried by said hook mechanismand adaptedto abut one another. 6. In apparatus of the character described, a'plurality of tables arranged end to end, a stationary hook member carried atone 'end' of'each table, a movable hook member :pivotmember, means for moving the movablehook member forwardly with respect to the stationary hook member, and means engaging said dependinglug for rocking said movable hook member about its pivot during forward movement thereof to swing it downwardly out of engagement with said stationary'hook member. I l 7. In apparatus of the character described, a plurality of tables arranged end to end, a station ar'y'hook'member carried at one end of each table,- a movable hook member pivotally carried atthe adjacent end of the adjoining table and adapted for engagement with said I stationary hook member to-hold the ends of said tables infirm abutting relation, a de pending lug carried by the movable hook member, means for moving the movable hook member forwardly with'respect to the stationary hook member, means engaging said depending lug for rocking said movable hoe,r member about its pivot during forward movement thereof to swingkit downwardly out of engagement with said stationary hook member, and spring means also engaging said depending lug and normally acting to return the movable hook member into engagement with the stationary hook member upon move- 1 ment of said movable hook member out of engagement with said rocking means.

'8. In apparatus of the character described,

' a plurality of tables arranged'end to end, a

stationary hook member carried at one end of each table, a supporting bracket carried at the adjacent end of the adjoining table, a gear rotatably supported by said bracket, a horizontal screw carried by and threaded through said gear, a movable hook member pivotally carried by said screw and adapted for engagement with said stationary hook member to hold the ends of said tables infirm abutting relation, a depending lug carried by the movable hook member, means for rotating said gear to thread the screw outwardly thereof so as to move the movable'hook member forwardly with respect to the stationary hook member, and a forwardly directed trip member carried by said bracket and adapted to'engage said lug for rockingthe movable hook member about its'pivot during the forward movement thereof to disengage it from said stationary hook member.

9. In apparatus of the character described,

a plurality of-tables arranged'end to end, a

stationary hook member carried at one end of each table, a supporting bracket, carried at the adjacent end of the adjoining table,

a gear rotatably supported by said bracket, a'horizontal' screw carried by and threaded through said gear, a movable hook member pivotally'carried by said screw and adapted for engagementwith said stationaryv hook member to hold-the ends of said tables in firm abutting relation, a depending lug carried by the movable hook member, means for rotating said gear to thread the screw outwardly thereof so as to movethe movable hook member forwardly with respect to the stationary hook member, and a forwardly directed trip member carried by said bracket and adapted to engage-said lug for rocking the movable hook member about its pivot during the forward movement thereof to disengage it from'saidstationary hook member, and spring means also engaging said lug and normally acting to return the movable hook member intoengagement with threaded through said gear, a substantially .U-shaped bracket carried at the outer end of said screw, a movable hook member pivot-- ally carried by said last mentioned bracket lug carried by the movable hook member means for rotating the gear to thread'thev screw outwardly'thereof so as to move the movable hook member forwardly with respect to the stationary hook member,afor-,

w-ardly directed stationary trip member carried by the first mentioned bracket and adapted to engage the lug to'rock the movable hook member about its pivot out ofengagement with the stationary hook member.

' 11. In apparatus of the character described, a plurality of tables arranged end to end, a stationary hook member carried at one end of each table, a supporting bracket carried at the adjacent end of the adjoining table, a gear rotatably supported by said. bracket, a horizontal screw carriedvbyand threaded through said gear, a substantially U-shaped bracket-carri ed at the outer endof saidscrew, a movable hook member pivotally carried by sai-dflast mentioned bracket and adapted for engagement with said stationary hook member to hold the ends of said tables in firm abutting relation, a depending lug: carried by the movable hook member, means for rotating the gear to thread the screw out- W-ardly thereof, so as to move the movable hook member forwardly with respect to the stationary hook member, a forwardly direct-; ed stationary trip member carried by the first mentioned bracketand adapted to engage the lug to'rockthe movable hook member about 1ts pivot out of engagement with the stationary hook member, and spring means carried by the second mentioned bracket and also engaging said lug and normally acting to return the. movable hook member into engagement with the stationary hook member upon movement of said movable hook member out of engagement with said tripping member. 7 i 7 12. In apparatus of the character described, a plurality'of tables arranged end to end, a stationary hook member carried at one end ofeach table, asupporting'bracket carried at the adjacent. end ofthe. adjoining table, a gear rotatably supported by said" bracket, a horizontal screw carried by and threa-ded through said gear, a substantially U-shaped bracket carried at the outer end of said screw, a movable hook member pivotal- 1y carriedby said last mentioned bracket and adapted for engagement with said station-- ary hook member to hold the ends. of said tables in firm abutting relation, a depending lug carried by the movable. hook member, means for rotating the gear to'thread the screw outwardly thereof so as to move the movable hook member forwardlywith re spect to the stationary hook member, a forwar-dly directed stationary trip member carried by the first mentioned bracket and adapted to engage the lug to rock the movable hook member about its pivot out of engagement With the stationary hook member, and cooperating pusher portions carried by the stationary hook member and second mentioned bracket for separating the tables during the uncoupling thereof.

Signed at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State-of Ohio, this 24th day of June,

LE ROY L. HANDY. 

